LondonLad60

I quite agree that's true for anyone that lives any distance from the ports, but I am fortunate in that I live well within 75 miles of Portsmouth (and Southampton when Saga used that port) and about 100 miles from Dover, so for a private car to Dover, to me it is worth he extra cost

" It is only if people decide to ignore their disembarkation time and try to leave when it suits them that the system breaks down. Again as Devon b&b has said, if you don't like the P&O system/product, then you can always vote with your feet and cruise elsewhere." Exactly. The last time I was on Arcadia, (autumn 2019) disembarkation was shambolic. My wife and I are in the Ligurian tier of the peninsula club, which (supposedly) gave us priority disembarkation. We got to our allocated venue just before the allocated time, and there were numerous passengers congregating in lift areas and corridors despite having been asked not to in a letter that had been sent to all cabins a few days previously. Whilst waiting in the venue I heard at least two couples boasting that they never go to their allocated venue - they simply wait near the exit and as soon as people start leaving they join in. Judging by the near stampede that ensued when disembarkation started there must have been many other passengers with the same mindset. That wasn't the main reason that my wife and I turned our backs on P&O; it was just one on a list of contributing factors.

I was on P&O's Oriana when rumours were flying around about her being sold. At a Peninsular Club lunch the senior officer (I think it was the deputy captain) was asked if he knew anything. He straight batted the question back with the standard reply, "We are not aware of any plans to sell Oriana". A lady on the table said, "This ship has been sold". She was asked, do you mean it's up for sale? She said, "No, it has been sold - and that's all I'm saying". Within a week or so, the sale was announced...

"Throughout the cruise there were many passenger coughing and sneezing, mainly over me I seems. After I started to get through the Norovirus symptoms got these as well, a cough, sore throat and runny nose." In 26 cruises with P&O and 8 with Saga there have only been two cruises where I have returned home without a cough and/or a cold. These two cruises were of three nights and five nights duration, which suggests to me that there was insufficient time for such coughs and colds to circulate and take hold.

After Adonia went, Oriana became my favourite ship. It wasn't perfect by any means - there again, what ship is? For example, with only one deck of balcony cabins anyone wanting a balcony had to make sure they booked early, and the noise and vibration from the propulsion system has been well documented in other threads. I hadn't cruised on Aurora at that point, so I can't compare Oriana with her, but Oriana ticked more boxes for my wife and I than Arcadia and Oceana did. Just my 2p's worth.

A white DJ will be absolutely fine. Hope you enjoy your first cruise.

We've only had a driver call us once. We had a pickup time of 11:05, and he called at 10:10 to say he would be outside at 10:30, as there had been an accident at the M25 - M20 junction and traffic was building up, so he was allowing extra time. We left home at 10:40, got to the port at 12:25 (the accident had cleared) and were on board at 12:40.

twotravellersLondon above mentioned Morrisons. We've found Morrisons to be the cheapest place in Gibraltar for duty free booze.

I asked the Saga World lady on SoA earlier this month when these cruises would be released, and she said early March.

From comments on previous threads, it would seem that suite passengers stand more chance of getting into the speciality restaurants...

If I see you, I promise I'll buy you a drink 😉🍷

My apologies; it is indeed Kefalonia. Thanks for spotting that.

My wife and I have just booked shore excursions for the above cruise. One we have booked for Malta is St Andrews Monastery & Wine Tasting. The description made mention of a dress code for the Monastery. Does anyone have any idea what this dress code would be? Would a short sleeved T-shirt and knee length shorts be acceptable for me? For my wife, would a knee length skirt, shorts or dress be acceptable provided her shoulders are covered? I ask, because having booked the excursion I can't go back into it to check. Any advice will be appreciated.

I didn't really mind being shot at. I was more miffed at being awoken from my afternoon Zzzz by the sound of a pipe and drum band outside our balcony...

If one of your Italian ports is Livorno, I suggest you try it in a restaurant called Il Paradosso - you can find it on google maps. The food there is also very good.

My favourite coffee in Italy is a Ponce (which thankfully is pronounced ponchay), and it's a speciality of the town of Livorno. It consists of a small glass of sweet espresso, a shot of rum, a shot of brandy and a slice of lemon. After three of those one lunchtime I was left feeling rather mellow for the rest of the afternoon...

As this will be your first Saga cruise, could you please consider writing a review on your return? I'm sure the regulars on this forum would love to hear your thoughts.

Sipsmith and Tanqueray are also on the inclusive list.

I'm pretty certain that the slimline tonic is Britvic

I've never had any problem accessing any venue when wearing a lounge suit and tie on formal nights

On cruises where there is bridge, the card room is in use between 10:00am and noon for beginners and improvers instruction and from 2:00pm for duplicate play. I have seen other people playing in there during instruction, but providing they sit at the other end from where the instruction is taking place, and provided they are quiet, the instructors tend to tolerate them. The instruction sessions only take place on sea days - not sure about the duplicate play. I've seen people playing card games in the Living Room, which is a good idea as it's easy to hail a passing waiter and ask for a drink.

Up to 7600 passengers including kids? Rather you than me...